Word of the Day

: September 1, 2010

hector

verb HEK-ter

What It Means

1 : to play the bully : swagger

2 : to intimidate or harass by bluster or personal pressure

hector in Context

The judge sternly ordered the attorney to stop hectoring the witness.

Did You Know?

In Homer's Iliad, Hector, the eldest son of King Priam of Troy, was a model soldier, son, father, and friend, the champion of the Trojan army until he was killed by the Greek hero Achilles. How did the name of a Trojan paragon become a verb meaning "to bully or harrass"? That use was likely influenced by gangs of rowdy street toughs who roamed London in the 17th century and called themselves "Hectors." They may have thought themselves gallant young blades, but to the general populace they were swaggering bullies who intimidated passersby and vandalized property. By 1660, "hector" was being used both as a verb and as a noun meaning "bully."